New Zealand is introducing a new policy that will allow young migrants awaiting family residence approval to work part-time, effective from October. This initiative is designed to help migrant school leavers contribute to the economy and gain work experience during their waiting period.
Part-Time Work Rights for Migrant Youths
From October, young migrants aged 17 to 24 who are waiting for their family residence applications to be processed will be eligible to work part-time. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford stated that this policy aims to help these individuals support themselves and gain valuable experience while awaiting their application outcomes.
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Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, migrants must:
- Be applicants on a lodged skilled residence visa or Dependent Child Residence Visa application.
- Hold an eligible visitor visa as a dependent child of a Work Visa holder or a New Zealand citizen/resident.
- Be aged 17 and have completed high school, or aged 18 to 24.
Eligible migrants can work:
- Up to 20 hours per week during the school year.
- Up to 40 hours per week during the summer holiday period.
Implementation
Detailed application guidelines will be provided by Immigration New Zealand by August 30, with the policy set to take effect by the end of October.
Immigration Reform
This policy is part of a broader effort to improve New Zealand’s immigration system and support the economy. Minister Stanford highlighted the importance of adjusting immigration settings to support economic rebuilding.
Eligible Residence Visas
To apply for these work rights, migrants must have applied for one of the following residence visas:
- Dependent Child Resident Visa
- Skilled Migrant Category Visa
- Any Skilled Migrant Category sub-categories, including:
- Green List Straight to Residence Visa
- Green List Work to Residence Visa
- Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
- Transport Sector Work to Residence Visa
This new measure aims to provide greater financial security and opportunities for young migrants and their families, reflecting New Zealand’s commitment to supporting migrants as they transition to permanent residency.
